The Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA) is urging for accelerated preparations to safeguard Kenya's livestock sector from the anticipated impacts of El Niño conditions, expected to persist until early 2027.

• The KVA warns of increased livestock disease outbreaks, deaths, and injuries, along with market disruptions and infrastructure damage due to anticipated flooding and contaminated water sources.
• The Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) is undertaking preparedness measures such as enhanced disease surveillance and pre-positioning of vaccines, but the KVA calls for their urgent acceleration.
• Key recommendations include emergency pre-emptive livestock vaccination campaigns, activation of emergency destocking programs by September 2026, and increased government funding.

The Kenyan government is set to import one million bags of maize to address an anticipated deficit, following depressed rainfall in key agricultural regions.

• The government will import one million bags (90kg each) of maize.
• The initiative is led by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe.
• A projected deficit of 5.4 million bags is expected by the end of next month, with concerns about potential price hikes and the impact of an impending El Niño phenomenon.

Organic Basket, a Karen-based farm-to-plate catering and bakery business founded by Caroline Muiru, is thriving by focusing on healthy, organic meals for corporate clients.

• Organic Basket serves up to 1,000 meals a day, with 80% of its produce grown in-house or sourced from trusted organic farmers.
• The business targets corporate clients who require lighter, more balanced meals than traditional event catering, addressing a growing public health concern about non-communicable diseases in Kenya.
• Despite challenges with fluctuating ingredient costs, Organic Basket emphasizes sustainability, using farm waste for fertiliser and compost, and has grown primarily through referrals.

Kenyan entrepreneur Sylvia Omina is transforming agricultural waste into sustainable fashion with her brand, Omina Otsieno, which crafts jewellery from banana fibre.

• The business empowers over 20 women and farmers in Busia by utilizing banana stems, a renewable and biodegradable material.
• Omina Otsieno, founded in 2017 and reinvented for banana-fibre jewellery in 2021, blends traditional artisanal techniques with contemporary design.
• The venture also collaborates with 5 artisans in Nairobi for brass fittings, extending its economic impact and fostering a local banana-fibre value chain.